Visita Iglesia: Historical Churches in Cavite

Cavite is regarded as a historical province because it is the place where many battles of the 1896 Revolution occurred here and the proclamation of independence happened in Kawit on 1898. In fact, the province is known as "The Cradle of the Philippine Revolution" and "The Birthplace of Philippine Independence."

It is located at Metro Manila's southern doorstep, Cavite is known for several tourist attractions and historical sites. In addition, the province is also a home of the churches which was built during the Spanish era and various prayer houses and chapels which can be found in Tagaytay City. Therefore, the pilgrims can have their Visita Iglesia (a visit to fourteen churches which was commemorated during Holy Week) in this province.

Nuestra Senora de Candelaria Church, located in the town center of Silang.

Our Lady of Candelaria Parish

Silang

The Our Lady of Candelaria Parish Church (Nuestra Senora de Candelaria Church) in Silang is one of the oldest churches in Cavite. It was established on 1595 by the Franciscan friars where it was built with a small chapel. The Silang Church was a simple Baroque church without any magnificent ornamentation in the facade of the church. It also has a large wooden church entrance. 

The Immaculate Conception Parish Church in Dasmarinas City

Immaculate Conception Parish Church

Dasmarinas City

The Immaculate Conception Parish Church is located near the city hall. It was the site of bloodshed of Philippine Revolution in 1897. During the Japanese occupation, several men detained inside the church in 1944 where many of the residents died during that time.

Imus Cathedral, the seat of the bishop in Cavite. In front of the cathedral is the Battle of Alapan Marker.

Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral

Imus City

The Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral (also known as Imus Cathedral) is the seat of the bishop of the Diocese of Imus. It was established in 1616 by Augustinian missionaries. Fr. Nicolas Becerra wanted to move the town center to its present location. The present church was constructed in 1823 using forced labor and the structure was made of stone and bricks. Its facade was patterned after the Manila Cathedral. On November 25, 1961 by the virtue of Apostolic Constitution Christi fideli, promulgated by Pope John XXIII that Cavite was created a separate bishopric from Manila. 

The facade of St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church in Bacoor City.

St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church

Bacoor City

The church was located in the coastal city of Bacoor, Cavite. It was built through a cedula real on 1752. Father Mariano Gomez, one of the GOMBURZA, was assigned to be the head priest of Bacoor.

The historical St. Mary Magdalene Church is located near the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit.

St. Mary Magdalene Church

Kawit

Located in the small but historical town of Kawit is the St. Mary Magdalene Church. The church was built in 1624 by the Jesuit friars. It was the church where the first president of the Philippines, Emilio Aguinaldo, was baptized in 1869. 

San Roque Parish Church
Cavite City

This tall church located in Cavite City was built during the Spanish era. The patroness of this city is the Our Lady of Solitude of Porta Vaga. The icon of the Virgin Mary of Our Lady of Solitude is enshrined in this church.

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Queen of the Caracol

Rosario

The church is located in the coastal town of Rosario, formerly known as Salinas. The town is famous for its salt evaporation industry. The church was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the patroness of the town who saved the people's lives in the midst of the strong typhoon during the Spanish Era. Rosario became a town in 1845.  

Maragondon Church is one of the National Historical Treasures in the Philippines.

Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Church

Maragondon

It was built in 1618 by the Jesuits, followed by the construction of the new church from 1630 to 1633. The current stone church was built in 1714. This church is also a base during the Philippine Revolution in 1897 where Maragondon became the headquarters of Emilio Aguinaldo. In 2001, it was declared as  National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum.

The facade of Sto. Nino de Ternate Parish.

Sto. Nino de Ternate Parish

Ternate

In a coastal town located in western part of Cavite and the natives speak in Chavacano, there's the Sto. Nino de Ternate Parish. It was built in 1663 by the Jesuit missionaries. During the Philippine revolution, the church was ruined in a battle and the Holy Image of Santo Nino was left.

The tall church of Naic with its white facade,

Diocesan Shrine Parish of Immaculate Conception

Naic

It is one of the largest churches, Naic Church was established in 1796 and the stone church was completed in 1839 by the Dominican friars. The church was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The church features its golden altar and the beautiful stained glass windows aligning the walls. 

The facade of Indang Church, located within the town's poblacion.

Saint Gregory the Great Parish Church

Indang

Saint Gregory the Great Church is located in the poblacion of the historic town of Indang. It was used to be part of Silang, the town established a parish in 1625. The church features its beautiful interiors, the paintings on the ceiling and the old pulpit in the platform where the priests used to preach during the mass.

Santa Cruz Church played an important role in the Philippine Revolution in Cavite.

Santa Cruz Church

Tanza

Santa Cruz Church was built in 1780 where Tanza was part of San Francisco de Malabon, which is the present town of General Trias. Tanza was formerly known as Santa Cruz de Malabon. The church played a relevant role in the Philippine Revolution where Emilio Aguinaldo and Mariano Trias took their oaths in the church. The event led to the organization of Revolutionary Government in 1897.

Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church
General Trias

The church was built by the Franciscans in 1611 where the town was formerly called as San Francisco de Malabon, a visita of Cavite Viejo. It was transferred to the Jesuit order of Cavite Puerto (now Cavite City). In 1753, it eventually lead to a separate parish. The church featured its convent where the Banda Matanda, a local marching band, practiced the Marcha Filipina, the music of the Philippine National Anthem, before they played it in the Proclamation of  Independence in 1898.

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish

Tagaytay City

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish is located in the Second Summer Capital of the Philippines and the highland town of Tagaytay. It was built in 1945 by the Order of Capuchin Friars. The church is also a typical venue for weddings.

This journey means a lot where I get to know more about my home town and I discovered a lot about the historical province of Cavite through this pilgrimage. I would like to thank the Lord for this wonderful opportunity and I'm looking forward for more places to visit in a Visita Iglesia.

Date of Travel: April 17, 2014

Photos and Plates: My First Travel to the North

This is time first time that I traveled to North Luzon. For almost eight hours of land travel from Cavite up to Pangasinan, where I attended the baptismal rites of my colleague's daughter. Enjoying beautiful landscapes in North Luzon Expressway and seeing the beautiful sunrise and captivating sunset in the wide rice fields. Seeing lovely flowers and lush trees in the backyard and having a quick visit in a famous restaurant along the way.

Pangasinan

Welcome arch to Pangasinan from the boundaries of Tarlac. (Source: Google Photos)

Yellowbell in Santa Maria, Pangasinan

Pomelos

Bistro Garitoni, the venue for reception which is a restaurant in Rosales, Pangasinan.

Mouth-watering dishes in Bistro Garitoni.

It was 6:00 a.m. when I woke up in the boundary of Tarlac and Pangasinan and finally, I can say that I made it to Pangasinan where I saw the welcome arch. After that, we ate in Jollibee at Rosales, Pangasinan and have a trip going to thThe reason why I enjoyed my stay in Santa Maria, Pangasinan because of the simplicity of the natives, the hospitality of the family that I've visited and most especially, the backyard full of flowering plants and trees. After that, we went to the christening rites and then we went to Rosales, Pangasinan for the reception where I enjoyed the food there.

Isdaan Restaurant: Gerona, Tarlac

After the reception, we are thinking of having a side trip to other places. We were thinking between Dagupan or Tarlac. However, our concerns of going home early, we decided to go to Gerona, Tarlac and have a quick visit in Isdaan Restaurant. This restaurant has another branch in Calauan, Laguna but along the way, we visited this place not for eating but for picture taking. 

You can see different nipa huts everywhere and different ponds anywhere full of koi (Japanese carp). The restaurant has also a stunning Golden Buddha, large monkeys, a gorilla mascot and life-sized statues of cats, dogs, robots and even persons such as Corazon Aquino, who was born in Tarlac. 

"Tsismosa! Intrigera! 5/6! Tacsiyapo!" *suddenly the plates crashed*

That is the most interesting part of our visit in Isdaan is the Tacsiyapo Wall. Tacsiyapo is a Kapampangan word meaning "Shame on you!" You can smash plates, mugs, vases, wall clocks and even television if you want to release your anger to the red wall where the words of the persons or incidents that you hated very much. It is also a fun activity where your anger can be converted into happiness. However, it is such an intimidating place because you can hear people shouting and they will destroy mugs, plates, vases and even a working television set. 

During that time, there are very few plates in that place but we keep on enjoying the activity. You can choose mugs for P15.00, small plates for P16.00, big plates for P35.00, vase for P350.00, and television for P1300.00. I bought 2 big plates worth P70.00 and I enjoyed my time in Tacsiyapo. After that, we leave the place full of souvenirs and memories.

Going Home and Enjoying the Views in North Luzon Expressway

Mt. Arayat, the view from North Luzon Expressway in Pampanga.

Fields full of lahar and ashes.

While passing the North Luzon Expressway, I enjoyed the views of the Central Luzon plains and golden ricefields, the gray land produced by lahar during the Pinatubo Eruption and the towering Mt. Arayat in Pampanga. The view of the sunlight radiantly spread in the rice fields which symbolized new hope and chance for upcoming travels. Definitely, my first travel in North Luzon is such a fun and memorable experience to remember.

#LookingForwardForMoreTravelsInTheNorth

#NorthLuzon

Date of Travel: December 27, 2013

Visita Iglesia: Heritage Churches in Manila

Manila has a very colorful history. Before the Spaniards arrived in the country, it is the center of economic activities by the foreign traders. On 1571, Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi established the seat of government in the fortified walls of Old Manila (which is the present-day Intramuros). In addition, there are many churches built in the Spanish city of Manila during their rule in the Philippines. Today, Manila is one of the busiest and most populated cities in the country and the churches built since the Spanish era are still present, so it is also a possible location for Visita Iglesia.

Manila Cathedral
Intramuros

Located at Plaza de Roma in Intramuros, the Manila Cathedral was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, as Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, the Principal Patroness of the Philippines. It is also the seat of the archbishop. The cathedral was originally made of bamboo, nipa and wood. It was originally a parish church owned and governed by the Diocese of Mexico in 1571 until it became a separate diocese in 1579. The cathedral was destroyed and damaged several times by fires and earthquakes since its original built in 1581. It was also destroyed during the World War II. The current cathedral was built in 1958. Recently, the Basilica will have its re-opening this 2014 due to repairs for earthquake retrofitting and subsidence prevention.

Manila Cathedral

San Agustin Church
Intramuros

The San Agustin Church is considered as the oldest stone church in the Philippines. The construction started in 1587 and completed on 1607. It has withstood many earthquakes and survived the British Invasion (1762), Spanish-American War (1898) and the Japanese Invasion (1942). The church choir has sixty-eight carved molave seats with narra inlaids, an artistic lectern and parchment cantorals of the 17th and 18th century and the ashes of early Spanish conquistadores are now rest in the easternmost chapel of the transept. The first Philippine Plenary Council was held in this church on 1953. It is also one of the four Philippine churches constructed during the Spanish colonial period designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. 

San Agustin Church

Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz
Binondo

Located in the oldest Chinatown in the world, Binondo, there's the San Lorenzo Ruiz Church, fronting the Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz. In history, Andres Bonifacio and Gregoria de Jesus were married in this church. In addition, San Lorenzo Ruiz who was born with a Chinese father and Filipino mother trained in this church before he went as a missionary to Japan. The church was founded by the Dominican priests in 1596 to serve their Chinese converts to Christianity. The original building was destroyed in 1762 during the British invasion. A new granite church was completed on the same site in 1852 however it was greatly damaged during the Second World War with the western facade and the octagonal bell tower surviving. The church was renovated between 1946 and 1971. Masses are also held in Filipino, Chinese (Mandarin and Hokkien) and English.

Binondo Church

Sto. Nino de Tondo Parochial Church
Tondo

Sto. Nino de Tondo Parish is one of the most visited churches in the country. It is located in Tondo where the district held the Feast of Sto. Nino de Tondo every third week of January. Many people came to Tondo due to fluvial procession where waterways and tributaries are connected to Manila Bay, a possible reason why the church is made of stone. It is one of the first structures built by the Spaniards in Luzon where the Convent of Tondo was approved in 1572. In addition, Tondo was the center of Catholic activities among the Chinese. The church went to renovations and improvements with an appropriate amount of money for the materials and construction from 16th to 19th century. 

Sto. Nino de Tondo Parish

Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene
Quiapo

The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or Quiapo Church is a prominent church located in the District of Quiapo. It can be found beside the Plaza Miranda where you can see a lot of stalls and busy people waiting for jeepneys and tricycles. The basilica is the home of the famous Black Nazarene, a dark statue of Jesus Christ which claimed to be miraculous. On August 29, 1586, Governor-General Santiago de Vera founded the District of Quiapo as a suburb of Spanish Manila. The church was built by the Franciscan missionaries using bamboo and nipa palm. The church also holds the Feast of Black Nazarene on January 9 celebrating the solemn translation of the statue to the church from the Church of Saint Nicholas Tolentino.

Quiapo Church

Basilica Minore de San Sebastian
Quiapo

The San Sebastian Church is the only all-steel church or basilica in Asia. The church is also noted with its architectural features which is an example of Gothic architecture in the Philippines. In 1621, Don Bernardino Castillo, a generous devotee of Saint Sebastian donated the land which the church stands now. The original made of wood was burned in 1651 during the Chinese uprising. The succeeding structures made of brick were destroyed by earthquakes and fire in 1859, 1863 and 1880. In 1881, Esteban Martinez, the parish priest of the church approached Spanish architect Genaro Palacios to built a fire and earthquake resistant structure made up of steel. Palacios made a design with a fused Earthquake Baroque and Neo-Gothic and the structural metal was manufactured from Belgium and erected by Belgian engineers. The church was solemnly blessed in 1891. It has long been reputed that Gustave Eiffel is the French engineer behind the church. 

San Sebastian Church

Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church
Santa Cruz

The Jesuits built the first Roman Catholic Church in the area where the present Santa Cruz Church stands on June 20, 1619. The church went to several reconstruction until the present structure was rebuilt in 1957, after the original church was destroyed during the Battle of Manila. 

Santa Cruz Church

Our Lady of Remedies Parish Church
Malate

Malate Church is a Baroque-style church facing the Rajah Sulayman Park and beyond the Manila Bay. The church is dedicated to Nuestra Senora de Remedios (Our Lady of Remedies) whose statue was brought from Spain in 1624. The church was built by Augustinian friars in the 16th century and it is one of the oldest churches in Manila outside Intramuros. The British landed in 1762 their troops near the shores and used the church for protection for their rear-guard in the capture of Manila. The church was destroyed by the earthquake on 1863 and it was destroyed by a typhoon in 1868 and rebuilt. The church was badly damaged during the Second World War and later restored again. 

Malate Church

Manila is not just a busy city but it is a place where heritage churches stand and it is also a perfect place for Visita Iglesia especially to those who lived in the Metro.

Date of Travel: March 15, 2014

Source: Historical Markers of Each Church Written by National Historic Commission

Our Weekend Merienda Habit at the Legendary Chinese Restaurant

When I was taking my Master's Degree at one of the prominent universities in the U-Belt, my classmates and I are always having a food trip at Ma Mon Luk. It is one of the oldest Chinese restaurants located in the busy streets of Quiapo, Manila. This is not just a typical restaurant but it has an interesting history. 

There was a Chinese chef and entrepreneur named Ma Mon Luk, who went to the Philippines in order to marry a Chinese girl from a rich family. As a hardworking peddler, he sold Chinese noodles (locally known as mami) in the streets of Manila. He is very known for gupit noodles, where he used a pair of scissors for cutting the noodles and chicken strips teemed up with hot and savory broth. 

Ma Mon Luk established his small restaurant in the 1920 after he achieved prosperity from hard work. There are ideas that the term mami came from Ma, the first syllable of his name and mi from mi-ki or egg noodles. In addition, siopao, a white steamed bun enhanced with meat chunks and secret sauce. is also popular delicacy in the restaurant.

Today, Ma Mon Luk has two operating stores, the one being in Quiapo (the oldest branch) and in Quezon Avenue (the main restaurant). They offered mami with chicken strips, beef chunks and savory broth worth P100.00. It is perfectly matched with siopao with different varieties. The first one is asado (worth P45.00) and a combination of asado, chicken and salted eggs (worth P65.00). The food is definitely delicious that can matched with fruity beverages or even mineral water. Definitely, you can taste the raw Chinese cuisine in this restaurant.

Chicken Noodles

Beef Noodles

Asado Siopao

Beef Noodles and Siopao

If I come back again to my graduate studies soon, I will never forget to have a foodtrip at Ma Mon Luk even once a month. Although it is an old restaurant located in the busy sidewalks of Quiapo, it is such an exciting foodtrip. It is for the reason that I appreciated the real Chinoy cuisine made by the legendary Chinese chef and entrepreneur who became a household name among the residents of Manila.

Date: July 13, 2013